Magnetically navigable device with associated magnetic element

Abstract

A magnetically navigable device has a magnet element with a greater extent in one direction than at right angles thereto. The magnet element is arranged asymmetrically with respect to a central axis of the device which points in the direction in which the magnet element extends. The device may be, for example, a video capsule from medical technology, such as for endoscopy.

1. A magnetically navigable device used in medical endoscopy, comprising:
 at least one magnetic element having a greater extent in a first direction than in a second direction at substantially 90 degrees to the first direction and having a central axis aligned in the first direction, where said at least one magnetic element is arranged asymmetrically with respect to the axis of said magnetically navigable device, said at least one magnetic element interacting with a gravitational force and a compensating magnetic force generated by magnetic field gradients which cause said at least one magnetic element to rotate around the axis of said magnetically navigable device to a to position which is counter to the gravitational force. 
 
     
     
       2. The magnetically navigable device as claimed in  claim 1 , further comprising a support structure with an exterior on which said at least one magnetic element is arranged. 
     
     
       3. The magnetically navigable device as claimed in  claim 2 , wherein the support structure has a shape at least substantially rotationally symmetrical with respect to a longitudinal axis of the magnetically navigable device. 
     
     
       4. The magnetically navigable device as claimed in  claim 3 , wherein the at least one magnetic element has a shape of one of a half-shell, a saddle, and a bar. 
     
     
       5. The magnetically navigable device as claimed in  claim 4 , wherein the at least one magnetic element has a transverse dimension no greater than half a longitudinal extent of said at least one magnetic element. 
     
     
       6. The magnetically navigable device as claimed in  claim 5 , wherein said at least one magnetic element has a mass between 0.2 times and 4 times that of said magnetically navigable device without said at least one magnetic element. 
     
     
       7. The magnetically navigable device as claimed in  claim 6 , further comprising means for eddy current damping using shorted conductor loops made of material having good electrical conductivity. 
     
     
       8. The magnetically navigable device as claimed in  claim 7 , wherein said magnetically navigable device is a video capsule. 
     
     
       9. The magnetically navigable device as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein said magnetically navigable device is an endoscopy video capsule. 
     
     
       10. The magnetically navigable device as claimed in  claim 6 , wherein said magnetically navigable device is a video capsule. 
     
     
       11. The magnetically navigable device as claimed in  claim 5 , wherein said magnetically navigable device is a video capsule. 
     
     
       12. The magnetically navigable device as claimed in  claim 5 , further comprising means for eddy current damping using shorted conductor loops made of material having good electrical conductivity. 
     
     
       13. The magnetically navigable device as claimed in  claim 4 , wherein said magnetically navigable device is a video capsule. 
     
     
       14. The magnetically navigable device as claimed in  claim 4 , further comprising means for eddy current damping using shorted conductor loops made of material having good electrical conductivity. 
     
     
       15. The magnetically navigable device as claimed in  claim 4 , wherein said at least one magnetic element has a mass between 0.2 times and 4 times that of said magnetically navigable device without said at least one magnetic element. 
     
     
       16. The magnetically navigable device as claimed in  claim 3 , wherein said magnetically navigable device is a video capsule. 
     
     
       17. The magnetically navigable device as claimed in  claim 3 , further comprising means for eddy current damping using shorted conductor loops made of material having good electrical conductivity. 
     
     
       18. The magnetically navigable device as claimed in  claim 3 , wherein said at least one magnetic element has a mass between 0.2 times and 4 times that of said magnetically navigable device without said at least one magnetic element. 
     
     
       19. The magnetically navigable device as claimed in  claim 3 , wherein the at least one magnetic element has a transverse dimension no greater than half a longitudinal extent of said at least one magnetic element. 
     
     
       20. The magnetically navigable device as claimed in  claim 2 , wherein said magnetically navigable device is a video capsule. 
     
     
       21. The magnetically navigable device as claimed in  claim 2 , further comprising means for eddy current damping using shorted conductor loops made of material having good electrical conductivity. 
     
     
       22. The magnetically navigable device as claimed in  claim 2 , wherein said at least one magnetic element has a mass between 0.2 times and 4 times that of said magnetically navigable device without said at least one magnetic element. 
     
     
       23. The magnetically navigable device as claimed in  claim 2 , wherein the at least one magnetic element has a transverse dimension no greater than half a longitudinal extent of said at least one magnetic element. 
     
     
       24. The magnetically navigable device as claimed in  claim 2 , wherein the at least one magnetic element has a shape of one of a half-shell, a saddle, and a bar. 
     
     
       25. The magnetically navigable device as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein said magnetically navigable device is a video capsule. 
     
     
       26. The magnetically navigable device as claimed in  claim 1 , further comprising means for eddy current damping using shorted conductor loops made of material having good electrical conductivity. 
     
     
       27. The magnetically navigable device as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein said at least one magnetic element has a mass between 0.2 times and 4 times that of said magnetically navigable device without said at least one magnetic element. 
     
     
       28. The magnetically navigable device as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the at least one magnetic element has a transverse dimension no greater than half a longitudinal extent of said at least one magnetic element. 
     
     
       29. The magnetically navigable device as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the at least one magnetic element has a shape of one of a half-shell, a saddle, and a bar.